Public Space Protection Order for Stonehouse

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted: Friday, July 21, 2017 - 00:26

Plymouth City Council is set to help tackle antisocial behaviour in Stonehouse by introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

PSPOs give police and enforcement officials special powers designed to rid the area of antisocial drinking, drug use and begging in public areas. Those found in breach of the order will be placed on the antisocial behaviour escalation process, a system that ensures repeat offenders may face prosecution or will be dealt with via other interventions.

Stonehouse has a very strong community spirit and is a very proud community and following extensive dialogue with the Stonehouse Working Group, a number of measures could now be put in place to ensure it is a safer place for both residents and local businesses.

A consultation period has now started and will last for four weeks. Residents are being encouraged to share their views on the scheme.

Cllr David Downie, Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “I am delighted to support this order for Stonehouse. The people of this community have suffered for too long and I strongly believe that this action will ensure that they can again take pride in their area.”

Acting Inspector Dominic Nicholls of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The introduction of a PSPO in Stonehouse shows real intent that the police and Plymouth City Council will always work together to take positive action against antisocial behaviour.

“We genuinely recognise the impact, persistent anti-social behaviour has on communities such as Stonehouse and we’re determined to send a clear message to say this behaviour will not be tolerated.”

PSPOs can only be issued by local authorities and replace the Designated Public Place Order and Gating Orders. They give the police and Local Authority additional powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour

The conditions will include:

• Preventing the drinking of alcohol and drug use in a public place
• Surrendering an open vessel(s) of alcohol in a public place when requested to by an authorised officer
• Approaching members of the public for money in any public place, street, highway or passage to include private residences
• Begging on the ground in a public place, street, highway or passage
• Urinating or defecating in a public place
• Displaying any form of sign associated with begging.
• Nuisance drivers

The boundary of the PSPO will run from the junction between Western Approach and Union Street, heading north along Western Approach. It will include the Western side of the road, continuing left at North Cross roundabout along the western side of Saltash Road before following the railway line past the bowling green to the Northern Edge of Victoria Park. It then travels down Eldad Hill to the junction with the southern edge of the park and continues along the park until Stonehouse Roundabout.

It continues southward at the roundabout and follows the water line until Eastern King Point where it travels Eastward to Millbay Pier. It then travels North Easterly, omitting Trinity Pier across Millbay Road to the junction with Union Street before meeting the junction between Western Approach and Union Street.

Antisocial behaviour significantly impacts people’s quality of life. If anyone is suffering similar problems within their neighbourhood we would urge them not to suffer in silence and to come forward to talk to police or report concerns anonymously through Crimestoppers.

If you would like more information on the proposed PSPO for Stonehouse, please click here. To comment, please click here or contact our Community Connections team at pspoconsultation@plymouth.gov.uk